Community Chat

[Sunnyfield]

Without going into a long drawn out story (rant), here are the high points -

Family in FL (63 year old mother, 30 yr old son, son's 10 year old son) - mom gets Social security (abt $759/month) son makes about $250/week, when he works an entire week -

They are drowning - constantly asking other family members for $$$ because they can't pay their bills.

DH and I have refused to give any more handouts, but want to be supportive and make suggestions on how to cut bills, etc.

Do any of you have experience in FL Social Services and how to go about getting assistance? Job training, etc...

We realize that both of them should be working full time...but she is unskilled as is he - are there any "Welfare to Work" programs we could direct them to?

I realize perhaps we should stay out of it, but I think we are the only ones who have a brain in this scenario...

Any suggestions are appreciated!!

[Colonel Meow]

What do you mean by "unskilled"? Neither of them are skilled enough or able to work in food service or WalMart, etc? Or do you mean actual career training in a profession such as welding, cosmetology, etc?

If the mother is receiving SSDI or SSI, she may be entitled to the "Ticket to Work Program", although those resources vary greatly depending on your area.

[Sunnyfield]

thanks for your reply, Col. Meow

by unskilled, I mean no real marketable skills - she has done some cashiering in the distant past. He worked as a roofer, until he was injured and cannot do that kind of work any more (paid under the table, so no benefits). I should add, her appearance does not help her - over weight with bad teeth and very unkempt (sorry if that sound cruel, but it is reality)

[Colonel Meow]

In my experience (working previously as a community case manager for disabled adults), the majority of these types of resources are available to individuals who have established disabilities through SSA.

And even then, agencies are woefully underfunded and often unable to provide the support necessary to ensure the success of those receiving services. This is particularly true of the more rural areas of FL, where I worked.

Hopefully, another poster may be able to give you more helpful advice.

[ROMARY]

Surely if the mom wants to work, she can surely 'tidy' up a bit. (As I recall, Rachael Ray recently said on TV that one of her first jobs was loading and running the dishwashing machines in a restaurant.) Or the mom could work in receiving dept. of department stores, opening boxes, steaming clothing, etc., etc. There are plenty of jobs out there for folks who need a job. Maybe mom just doesn't want a job at all? Well, wishing them the best of luck. I'm thinking that there are community and/or gov. programs that can benefit this family.

[Colonel Meow]

On 9/24/2014 ROMARY said:

Surely if the mom wants to work, she can surely 'tidy' up a bit. (As I recall, Rachael Ray recently said on TV that one of her first jobs was loading and running the dishwashing machines in a restaurant.) Or the mom could work in receiving dept. of department stores, opening boxes, steaming clothing, etc., etc. There are plenty of jobs out there for folks who need a job. Maybe mom just doesn't want a job at all? Well, wishing them the best of luck. I'm thinking that there are community and/or gov. programs that can benefit this family.

Mom is 63 and disabled. I would be far more inclined to question the motivation of the 30 year old son who is supposedly unable to find work...

[Sunnyfield]

just to clarify - the mom I this case is not disabled...and I, too, have an issue with the 30 year old who is dependent upon his brother for a job, when the brother has work to give him...

[Colonel Meow]

On 9/24/2014 ckr1147 said:

just to clarify - the mom I this case is not disabled...and I, too, have an issue with the 30 year old who is dependent upon his brother for a job, when the brother has work to give him...

Oh, I misunderstood. You said she receives Social Security and I made an assumption. (And you know what they say about those, lol!)

[moonstone dunes]

If the mother receives Social Security she must be disabled. How can you expect a 63-year old disabled woman who is unhealthy, overweight with bad teeth to just up and get a job that may conflict with her SSDI. Walmart does have associates who work by riding in the carts due to physical challenges.

They should apply for SNAP benefits especially because there is a child. And the son should get off his duff and work 2 or 3 jobs! Where is the child's mother in this?

[Colonel Meow]

On 9/24/2014 moonstone dunes said:

If the mother receives Social Security she must be disabled. How can you expect a 63-year old disabled woman who is unhealthy, overweight with bad teeth to just up and get a job that may conflict with her SSDI. Walmart does have associates who work by riding in the carts due to physical challenges.

They should apply for SNAP benefits especially because there is a child. And the son should get off his duff and work 2 or 3 jobs! Where is the child's mother in this?

Applying for SNAP is good advice. I didn't suggest it because I thought you were specifically inquiring about vocational assistance programs in FL.